Champions League
Kyiv: Champions League Final Preview
Kyiv, Ukraine – The last game of the European season is upon us, with Real Madrid and Liverpool going head to head in the 2018 Champions League Final.
How to Watch
Date: 05/26/2018
Time: 21:45 local, 20:45 GMT+2 (Spain), 02:45pm EST, 11:45am Pacific.
Stadium: Olimpiyskiy Kiev, Kiev, Ukraine.
Available TV: FOX (USA)
Build Up
A more interesting match-up on paper than in years past, both teams are overloaded with attacking talent but unbalanced defensively. This a match that has history shattering implications for Real Madrid as they look to claim a first ever 3 peat in the Champions League. If they were to win it would cap off a run unlike anything that has ever been seen in the modern era of and have them challenge Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona for the title of greatest team in history.
From the individual perspective, the Balon D’or is at stake barring a World Cup win by Lionel Messi with Argentina. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah have had standout performances and the numbers to win the trophy for best player in the world.
Real Madrid will be looking to win the competition for a staggering 13th time. On other hand, Liverpool tied for third in most Champions League triumphs with five. Both sides have a lot of history. However, Real Madrid have the edge in experience. Their current squad has won it all 3 times in the past 4 years. Liverpool’s current squad does not a single player who has played at a stage this big. A lot will be on Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp to have his side ready to play from the start.
Tactics
Speaking of Klopp, the ex-Borussia Dortmund manager stated in the pregame he expects his team to play “brave, big balls futbol”. Expect the Reds to come pressing and with a lot of intensity from the start.
The match will largely center around Klopp’s utilization of his famous “gegenpress”. When Liverpool turn the ball over in the final third, they will immediately switch into a high press of Real Madrid’s back line or midfield in an attempt to win the ball back in dangerous areas. Liverpool’s best offense is their defense, and they created havoc in their ties against Manchester City and Roma when Salah, Firmino, and Mane pressed effectively.
Real Madrid are well set up to break a hard press. They posses talents like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos who are practically press-resistant. However, the point of emphasis that Liverpool will try to exploit lies in the heart of the Real Madrid team: Casemiro. The Brazilian holding midfielder is a natural born ball winner and will be vital in thwarting the oppositions counter-attacks. However, his on the ball skills are suspect. Expect Liverpool to wait for Casemiro to receive the ball at his foot before they launch an all out press on the midfielder, pressuring him into offensive mistakes.
The Salah-Marcelo match-up has been the most talked about story in the build up to the game, and it’s for good reason. Marcelo, arguably Real Madrid’s best ever left-back. At times he becomes simultaneously Madrid’s best attacker and worst defender. He bombs up the left side of the pitch. Whips in and crosses onto the path of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose athleticism, aerial prowess, and heading ability is virtually unmatched. But just as explosive as it is offensively, it leaves huge gaps which will have Mo Salah licking his lips as he sees all the space in behind the Real Madrid defense.
Prediction
This is a tough one to call. However, as the result will most likely be decided by who commits the fewest errors. Both teams are glorious in the attack but flawed in back. We can expect to see the goals come in.
This won’t be a 1-0 win for either side. It will go the distance but in the end I expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be the difference. History backs Los Blancos for their record 13th Champions League title.
3-2 Real Madrid wins
